Hidden Wedding Costs Not to Overlook. Don`t let these vendor fees sneak up on you.​ Having a wedding is expensive as it is. Before signing any contracts, ask your vendors about details like overtime, delivery and cleanup, so these inevitable fees don`t surprise you later . Here`s a list of 10 common charges couples tend to overlook. Wedding Band Equipment. Why It`s Hidden: The cost of the wedding band includes fees for the musicians` time and the minimum amount of equipment needed. If your reception space is extra large, additional speakers and microphones could be required to project the best sound quality. The Cost: Anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. How to Avoid It: Before booking your wedding band or DJ, you need to clearly explain the layout of the space (or have them check it out, if they can) so the pros know exactly what they`re working with. If they want to add in extra equipment, have them explain why it`s necessary before signing a contract or agreeing to pay for anything else. Postage Stamps. Why It`s Hidden: Stationers don`t advertise shipping costs.

However, guests should never spend more on a gift than they`re comfortable with. That said, to help rein in gift spending, stick with the couple`s wedding registry and buy early. About half (46 percent) of a couple`s registry items are under $50, so guests should look up a couple`s registry on TheKnot.com and buy gifts in their price range before all the moderately priced ones are gone. If you want to make a gift from their registry feel more personal and you`re on a budget, consider purchasing something like mixing bowls or bakeware, paired with a homemade recipe book featuring a few your favorite dishes. If you want to get an expensive gift, go in on it as a group with other guests. Group gifting allows you to join in with friends and get the couple a more substantial gift than if each of you purchased smaller ones on your own. How to Handle Traveling to Costly Destination Weddings. Since one in four couples wed in a state other than where they currently reside, it`s no surprise that 37 percent of guests require travel and accomodations ($321 for travel; $322 for acommodations), as well as 68 percent of attendants ($342 for travel; $293 for accomodations). Guests should take advantage of wedding hotel blocks—the easiest way to score a great deal on wedding accommodations—and they should book early. Guests may also want to consider booking a house rental in lieu of a hotel. With a house rental, you`re likely splitting the cost with more people, plus you can stock your kitchen on a dime by buying your own groceries. If you`re one of the 44 percent of wedding guests and attendants who are traveling to a wedding by air, consider leveraging travel miles and rewards to book your flight. Alternatively, if you have flexible travel dates, make a vacation out of the trip by adding a few extra days and leave mid-week, when flights tend to be cheaper. If you do end up vacationing in the wedding destionation, that likely means someone is coming with you. The majority of wedding guests and attendants (90 percent) are invited to the wedding day with a plus-one option. And 78 percent of wedding guests and attendants brought a plus-one to the most recent wedding they attended. Of those invited with a plus-one, 24 percent report spending more on a wedding gift because they were invited with an additional guest. Of those not invited with a plus-one option, only 1 in 10 felt they should have been invited with a guest. How to Spend Less on a Wedding Outfit.If you’re in your 20s or 30s, chances are you’re attending multiple, back-to-back weddings. That means the costs of attire, accessories and shoes can quickly add up. On average, 48 percent of wedding guests purchase a new outfit for weddings, with an average of an $81 price tag (77 percent of wedding attendants purchase new attire too and spend an average of $207 on it). If you`re wearing a dress to a few different upcoming wedding celebrations, buy one dress and accessorize it differently with your jewelry, shoes and more. There are a ton of great options for renting wedding-ready attire too, from Rent the Runway and Vow to be Chic for ladies to The Black Tux and Xedo for men. Men may want to invest in two good suits, a darker navy or black suit along with a lighter suit in either gray or khaki, switching up their shirt and tie for different looks at different weddings.

Act as a host throughout the day. Does Aunt Jane need help with directions to the reception? Does it look like the cake baker and caterer are having a disagreement? Did Uncle Mike ask for a vegetarian dinner and not get one? Does the bride`s grandfather look like he wants to dance but doesn`t have a partner? Did the groom`s father get stuck in an elevator right before his big speech? (Trust us, it happens.) Take it as a cue for you to step in and help where it`s needed, acting on behalf of the couple and their families—especially for things that the newlyweds definitely don`t need to be bothered with or know about. Tie up loose ends at the end of the wedding. Create a list with the couple or their parents ahead of time of any vendors that need to be paid when the night is over, so you can be the point person to hand out checks. Also, keep an eye on the gift table and card box, and delegate help bringing gifts and cards into a secure room or someone`s car after the party`s over. Take care of the bride`s wedding dress after the reception.